Our People

ICAEW Alan heads up the taxation and trust services team, advising a variety of businesses, their owners and directors as well as trusts and private clients. Alan trained with Ellacotts, but spent 25 years with a national firm before returning to Ellacotts in 2009, and is delighted to be back providing a service in “Banburyshire”.

Alan has experience in all taxes and specialises in planning for private businesses and their owners. He also advises on remuneration and incentives for directors/employees, as well as company restructuring and passing on wealth to the next generation. Furthermore, Alan has built up expertise in the property and construction, manufacturing and technology sectors.

A regular presenter on tax matters Alan enjoys applying his technical knowledge to the advantage of clients. Over the years he has helped numerous people carry out their plans in the most tax-efficient way, with the emphasis on planning in advance rather than a last minute panic.

Alan enjoys renovating his house and motor vehicles, as well as the odd game of tennis.

ICAEW Derek qualified with a "big four" firm and, after gaining further experience came to Banbury in 1987. In 1998 he became a partner in a local firm and expanded his responsibility for the audit function.

As a Partner at Ellacotts, Derek is responsible for audit and accountancy for both existing and new clients. Derek's ability to gain a thorough understanding of his clients' objectives means that they will always get the most from the wide range of specialist advice available from Ellacotts.

Derek is also involved with personal tax and incorporated and unincorporated businesses of all sizes and has considerable experience of business start-ups.

Derek is married to Helena and away from the office plays cricket regularly for his local village team but is now also taking on umpiring responsibilities.

ICAEW Peter heads up our corporate services team. This encompasses all aspects of work for corporate clients, including audit, accountancy and corporate tax, as well as corporate finance and share valuation. He has wide experience in advising on buying and selling companies, including management buyouts and raising finance.

His particular specialism lies in advising subsidiaries of international groups to great effect. His advice includes the commercial and taxation aspects of doing business in the UK and can extend to full outsourced accounting support services. He lectures regularly on these topics.

Peter trained and qualified with one of the major international firms, becoming a Partner in its Birmingham office before joining Ellacotts as a Partner in 1991.

He is a member of the UK200 Group specialist Corporate Finance Panel and a Past President of the Warwickshire and the Thames Valley Societies of Chartered Accountants.

Peter is also one of less than 600 people nationally to have been awarded the prestigious Advanced Diploma in Corporate Finance by the Institute of Chartered Accountants. This recognises both his expertise and the volume of work done in this field over the years.

His leisure interests include travel, walking, sailing, books and membership of Warwick Rotary Club.

ICAEW Mark joined the Agriculture and Property team of Ellacotts in September 2006 and became a partner in June 2011.
Mark looks after a range of farmers, estates, land owners and other agricultural businesses. He is experienced in the various business structures under which these businesses operate , including partnerships, trusts and limited companies.
Mark specialises in providing tax planning advice to his clients, particularly in the areas of income tax, inheritance tax, capital gains tax and VAT. He enjoys learning about the challenges faced by his clients, and delivers clever solutions that can be implemented practically by their families and businesses. Mark was brought up on a family dairy farm and read agriculture at Nottingham University, and so has a real understanding of the agricultural industry.
Outside work, Mark loves music - both listening and playing. He plays the trombone as part of the Hook Norton Brass Band and has played all over the country and abroad. Mark is currently chairman of the Band’s trustees.

ICAEW Ghislaine qualified with Grant Thornton in 1980 and then undertook a further two years post qualification audit experience with Ernst and Young. A partner in public practice for 21 years, she set up her own successful practice in 1995, which subsequently then merged with Jones Boughton.

Ghislaine has a varied client base and specialises in helping clients throughout their business lifetime, advising them on everything from business development tax to exit route planning. Since Jones Boughton merged with Ellacotts in November 2010, Ghislaine now specialises in probate work and trust tax.

Outside of work, Ghislaine is a keen rambler and regular swimmer. An avid reader, she is also a member of a number of book groups, but perhaps most importantly is considered something of an expert when is comes to maximising the delights of retail therapy.

ICAEW Robert has been in public practice as a partner in Banbury since 1976 and has extensive experience in business development, personal and corporate tax planning.

Robert specialises in helping clients formulate and realise realistic retirement objectives in the most tax efficient way. In addition, he provides advice on business valuations to clients in the agriculture and construction industries. Robert is also particularly keen to ensure that clients are properly advised with regard to wealth management, pension planning and future capital tax planning.

Out of the office, the lure of trying to hit golf balls, chase tennis balls and watch rugby balls has not diminished over the years.

ICAEW David is the firm's managing partner, having worked his way up through the ranks since he started in 1983. He has been a major driving force in many of the positive changes seen at Ellacotts, including investment in both people and systems to enhance the quality of the firm’s services.

With a wealth of experience, David heads up and looks after a wide range of clients and businesses from pre-start-up through the important years of development change and growth.

His client portfolio incorporates a broad array of sector industries including commercial, healthcare and professional services. He is also an active member of the 2020 Group's IT Committee and is well known and respected amongst leading members of Banbury’s business community.

In leisure time, David enjoys a round of golf and participates in numerous local societies. With an interest in travel and walking, he likes to ensure that his holidays provide the perfect blend of activity and relaxation.

ICAEW David has a first-class track record of success gained with large national and international practices, and joins Ellacotts from a Birmingham-based mid-tier firm, having maintained a portfolio of prestigious clients, including many household names.

Prior to this, David trained and qualified at a 'Big Four' firm, where he spent many successful years, including a two-year secondment to its Paris office.

Outside of work, David is a keen squash player and he enjoys running too. David is also actively involved in his local community, being a school governor at his local primary school.

ICAEW, BIAC John heads up the agriculture and property team, looking after a wide range of farmers, estates, landowners and agri-businesses.

Coming from a farming background, he is very aware of the issues facing the sector. He joined the firm in 1991 and is well known in farming circles for his practical advice. Experienced in all aspects of accounting and tax, John specialises in taxation and business consulting in the areas of succession planning and diversification opportunities. He also advises on taxation and strategic business planning within the leisure and tourism sector.

A member of the British Institute of Agriculture Consultants, he regularly gives talks on strategic and tax planning opportunities for farmers and estates.

As an ex-professional rugby player, away from work John can usually be found watching or supporting local and national sides. Other interests include tennis, theatre and trying to keep as fit as he once was.

ACCA Emma provides valuable support to business start-ups and owner-managed businesses, helping to head up a dedicated department team. She assists with larger, more technical client accounts, as well as being involved in all aspects of taxation compliance work for personal and corporate clients.

Prior to qualifying as an accountant, she worked in the teaching profession.

In her spare time, Emma is an outdoors type, enjoying walking in the countryside and visiting places of historical or cultural significance.

Mohammed Bostan is a partner at Positive Solutions Financial Services, trading as Strategic Financial Portfolios, with nearly 20 years of financial planning experience specialising in Wealth Management. Positive Solutions is an independent and highly respected financial planning organisation with over 1400 partners.

Working alongside your tax and legal advisers Mohammed provides clients with bespoke, independent financial advice and aims to provide impartial advice that is entirely focused on the client’s specific situation and needs. You can expect an objective, professional and efficient service. Mohammed’s role is to help you understand your financial position, and to form and implement a short, medium and long-term strategy, with you, to protect and develop your assets.

Advice is available to individuals and businesses alike at either our offices or a venue of your choice. Areas of specialism include:

Investment Advice
• Portfolio reviews
• Establishing portfolios

Wealth & Asset protection
• Inheritance tax planning
• Long Care Planning

Retirement Planning
• Establishing and reviewing pension provision
• Corporate and personal pension arrangements

Golf discovered Mohammed, which has now become a passion. He has set himself a target to reduce his handicap to 15 by the end of 2011.

The initial exploratory meeting has no cost to you.

Contact no: 07855 526496
Website: www.sfportfolios.co.uk

Louise joined Ellacotts as a Manager in the Agricultural and Property team in June 2011, having worked for another Oxfordshire firm of accountants as their Agricultural and Estates Accounts Manager.

Louise has dealt with a wide range of agricultural and rural clients, from sole proprietors and family farming partnerships through to companies and large estates. Louise has a very hands on approach and is willing to spend time getting to know her clients business in order to assist with their accounting and taxation issues in an effective manner.
With her specialist involvement and commitment to farming and rural affairs, Louise is also involved in the development of “The Next Generation Group”, which is part of the Agriculture Law Association.
Outside of work, Louise is heavily involved with her partners, Dairy farm, not only assisting with paperwork, but also milking the cows. Louise also attends pilates and a badminton club on a weekly basis.

ICAEW Belinda looks after corporate clients ranging from small, owner-managed businesses to companies with multi-million pound turnovers.

As well as undertaking compliance work, Belinda is involved in the preparation of regular management accounts for clients, often delivering complex spreadsheets to tight deadlines. In particular, she enjoys providing assistance in setting up or improving bookkeeping and accounting systems and specialises in Sage Line 50. She also acts as an 'unofficial helpline' for many clients' bookkeepers taking an active role in improving accounts computer packages and providing training.

Belinda qualified with a well-known national firm in 1991 and obtained a wide variety of practical experience before joining Ellacotts in 2001. She is an active member of a number of local networking clubs.

Outside the office, Belinda is keen to prove that accountants are not boring! She is a horsewoman - and has competed in horse trials, team chases and show jumping; a pilot, obtaining her PPL in 2009; a keen skier and a sailor. She also enjoys growing her own produce in her allotment, walking, wildlife and spending time in the countryside.

AIFA Griffiths Financial Planning Ltd was set up by Andrew in 1999 as a joint partnership venture. Andrew has significant experience, having worked with several large employee benefit practices at a variety of levels. Griffiths Financial Planning Ltd provides financial planning solutions to individuals and corporate bodies. Andrew concentrates on the areas of investments, pensions and corporate risk planning, making detailed analyses and holding regular meetings to build excellent and successful ongoing relationships with clients.

As well as being a fully qualified Independent Financial Adviser (IFA), Andrew also holds specialist pension qualifications.

He is a keen local sportsman who still enjoys a game of cricket, although his participation in rugby has now been relegated to watching or coaching his son’s mini rugby team. Other interests include politics, theatre and reading.

Website - www.griffithsfinancial.co.uk

ICAEW Charlotte became a manager in August 2010 having joined Ellacotts in March 2006 as an accountant in the Corporate Services team. Prior to joining Ellacotts, Charlotte worked for a well known national firm of accountants.

Charlotte manages a portfolio of audit clients across a wide range of industry sectors, for both UK and international businesses. In addition, she is involved in all aspects of accounts and taxation compliance work for a variety of corporate clients.

Outside of work Charlotte is kept busy by her new baby daughter. Other interests include reading, cookery and going to the cinema.

ICAEW, IAgSA Helen joined Ellacotts in June 2002 as a manager in the agriculture and property team, having previously worked for a national firm of agricultural specialist accountants, and as an accountant for a large mixed farming business. Helen was reared on a mixed farm in Northamptonshire, and met her husband whilst working in a farrowing house!

With this practical experience and wide knowledge Helen provides ongoing business and tax planning advice to farming and rural clients, as well as dealing with accounting and tax compliance matters.

Helen is a member of various farming and rural business organisations, including Women in Rural Enterprise (WIRE) the Institute of Agricultural Secretaries and Administrators (IAgSA) and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

Outside work, Helen likes to spend time with her family enjoying the countryside. She loves walking, camping and watching wildlife. Helen is happiest when exploring new places off the beaten track, including pubs in the Rugby area with her local ladies’ skittles team.

Giles joined Ellacotts as HR Manager in August 2008. As HR Manager Giles is responsible for establishing a complete and comprehensive people management approach for Ellacotts that supports and reflects the group strategy and operational objectives along with overall responsibility for several centralised support functions.

With over 8 years HR Management experience drawn from both multi national blue chip organisations and smaller niche firms, mostly within the business services and financial sectors, Giles brings a wide variety of ideas and experiences to Ellacotts enabling change and growth.

Away from the office Giles enjoys spending time with his family taking his young son to see Leicester Tigers play when he can. Giles also enjoys taking part in various sporting activities including Golf, Badminton, Squash, Running and Cycling. Giles is also currently learning to SCUBA dive and speak Spanish.